Voted http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/smile.png

I gotta say...if the object of the contest is to show dogs that are displaying "happy faces" aka "smiling" then your pic doesn't really qualify.

That is a "submissive grin". It is an appeasement gesture, NOT an expression of joy or happiness.

Some dogs do it when they are frightened, unsure, or anxious...but inclined to please the object of feeling, as opposed to being inclined to want to escape, or defend itself.

Other dogs employ it as a part of their regular greeting ritual, and in these cases it is not at all based on fear or anxiety, but is just one of many appeasement and calming signals they may be putting forward that we do not notice as readily.

Point is...it's not an expression of happiness.

Canine behavioral lecture, over.

Please return to your regularly scheduled topic. http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/wink.png

Voted! http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/smile.png

Here is a perfect example of submissive grinning (and it's funny)




Here...this dog shows a whole mess of calming signals along with grinning, indicating a very anxious frame of mind. Lip licking, looking away, sneezing, yawning, shake off...pretty much EVERY calming behavior in the book she just flashes right through.

This dog is doing her very best to appease and "calm" her master.... basicly...she's grovelling.

It does not by any means indicate the dog is actually frightened... but it does indicate the dog is likely somewhat high strung and emotionally "sensitive"

Gatorpit, Thank you again for the education but the contest was for "Best Smile" so really, be it a submissive grin, appeasement smile or a well exercised dog panting is irrelevant. It's a great smile either way.

It's a great smile either way. If you consider body language that indicates high levels of anxiety to be a "great smile" then ...sure. Okay.

Would you say the snarl of an angry/frightened dog is also a "great smile"?

Point being neither of these "toothy" expressions have anything to do with a positive state of mind in the dog.

A human pulling their lips back and grimacing in reaction to seeing a bad car accident is not a "great smile".

Just because the behavior is named "grin", and involves the same physical mechanics as a human expression of happiness (pulling lips back and showing teeth), does not equate it with the motives behind human smiling, nor indicate a sense of happyness or even well being in dogs.

The picture in question...the dog is displaying body language that indicates she is either frightened, or in a state of high anxiety...NOT "cute", and not "happy".

Would you consider these pictures to be "great smiles"?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...t/e0f36ea7.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...t/9e96c465.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...t/ff4adea7.jpg

---------- Post added at 01:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:45 PM ----------

Personally...if someone was running a contest on "great smiles" be it human or animal...I wouldn't think a picture of a dog basically grimacing in fear or worry of some sort to qualify.

Fine, Gatorpit, I cry UNCLE. You win.

Well Gator I understand what you are saying. However having met the dog on many occasions. I can tell you she is not doing it out of fear, or any of the reasons you listed. And since you have NOT met the dog, you can not speak for this specific dog.


I have seen Little B in many situations that would cause stress/fear for a dog. And she is still happy, waggy, and yes smiling. She has NEVER been a fearful, or even submissive.

Thank you Cynthia. I have not met Little B but I love that pic. It's looks like she will win by a landslide by looking at the FB LIKE count so far.

Considering that she is my dog I have to say that with the number of PR events, weight pull events, and conformation shows Little B has attended there are quite a few people who can attest to her personality, to include a "canine behaviorist" who runs an APBT rescue in Florida, a CGC evaluator/vet tech at my vet's office, and the list could go on. So, with that said, I will respectfully disagree with your ASSUMPTION of my dog considering the fact that I do believe I know her best and with 10+ years of experience with the breed I'm confident in my assessment of my dog. But thank you for sharing as I am sure that applies in several cases, however, this is not one.

I wanted to add the first video you posted yes the dog is groveling. Why? Because he/she is getting chastised. The second one appears to be a training session. After the dog gets a treat. I do not have sound.

I come across many dogs on a daily basis at work. And I have been greeted on many occasions at work by a smiling dog trotting up to greet me with a HUGE smile and wagging tail.

Again I see what you are saying Gator however without actually observing the dog you can not make that assumption by a single pic.

Just a few more photos of Little B:

Her first weekend doing weight pull at a UKC event in FL (she had never been on a track before...not a fear or a care...pulled her little heart out):
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...eBwithMWPP.jpg

At a UKC weight pull in TN:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...ullinginTN.jpg

After going to a UKC event with a friend and getting evaluated by a UKC judge so that she could be registered with the UKC - note the judge noted NO ill temperment. We stopped along the waterway in Clearwater for photos:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...a793b72cde.jpg

First time on a new trail (she loved greeting everyone):
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...leBontrail.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...romtheback.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...leBonfence.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...background.jpg

Showing off her new harness and trophy from a local ADBA fun show:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...nesstrophy.jpg

Practicing on the track at the fun show:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...leBPulling.jpg

Winning Best Female and Best in Show at a FL AADR Show (she is wanting to jump on the judge):
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...gurl/Bwins.jpg

Just a few pictures of my girl.

Thank you for sharing those Pics of her. She is indeed gorgeous overall and not only a great smiler!

You missunderstand...I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with the dog, or that she's mistreated or even that she's likely to react in an unfavorable way at some point...I'm just saying...it's a sign of heightened anxiety.

It doesn't matter what dog is displaying it...it always means the same thing. Some dogs can become anxious over very simple things...others take much more to be moved to anxiety.

Anxiety doesn't always mean the dog is afraid....nor that a dog is on the verge, or at any risk at all, of reacting poorly. A dog can be enjoying whatever is going on, but still be nervous or anxious.

Sorta like how you might feel about going to a big party with a bunch of people you've never met. You wanted to go, you're happy you are going, you are excited about how great it's gonna be, but you may still feel anxious or nervous about meeting new people and making a good impression.

Point is, any dog...don't care who it is...that displays that behavior is feeling anxiety.

It doesn't neccesarily mean that the dog is miserable and terrified... but it is not, for any dog, a sign of any positive emotion either.

I smile when I meet new people http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/biggrin.png

Me too! http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/biggrin.png



---------- Post added at 04:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:03 PM ----------

Just for giggles I sent a text about it to a "canine behavorist" friend though I must admit I am not big on "canine behavorist" but thought this topic to be rather interesting. The response received was "Humans have a habit of humanizing behaviors exhibited by canines. Little B is not one I would call anxious nor would I say her "smile" is indicative of this. There are various lines of thoughts and reasoning behind a dog's actions and this is not to say one person is necessarly right or wrong but I would be curious as to the person's credentials for assessing a dog based soley off of a photo. Having met Little B on several occassions I would feel confident in stating that it is not anxiety but rather a mere trait, a rather cute one too." Again, I'm not worried about the beliefs of others but since we were on the topic of canine behaviors I figured I'd ask. http://www.pitbull-chat.com/images/smilies/smile.png

A few links on anxiety in dogs as well as signs and symptoms.
http://www.dog-health-guide.org/anxi...ptomindog.html

This one mentions the smile but couples it with a change in the dog's breathing, something the smiling APBTs I have met do not exhibit.
http://www.vetinfo.com/dog-behavior-change.html

A little off topic here, but how can one prove that every time any dog smiles like that, it's out of negative emotions or feelings, not positive?

I've met dogs who do it to show submission, like if you told the dog off.. and then a dog who does it any time she's excited. Be it going for a walk, seeing her favorite people, playing with her pups.

That was my thoughts as well.

A picture is a second in time. Nothing more nothing less. And you can not judge a dog's temperament based on a single picture.

---------- Post added at 10:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:10 PM ----------

You can't!